Texas
Charlie Kirk shooting: Texas leaders react
CAMBRIDGE, CAMBRIDGESHIRE – MAY 19: Charlie Kirk speaks at The Cambridge Union on May 19, 2025 in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. (Photo by Nordin Catic/Getty Images for The Cambridge Union)
DALLAS – Texas lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are weighing in on the shooting death of Turning Point USA founder and conservative firebrand, Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, 31, was speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah on Wednesday afternoon. It was the first stop of his American Comeback Tour.
Graphic video posted to social media shows Kirk on stage, sitting in a chair, talking into a microphone. A single gunshot was heard and Kirk’s head thrust back as he fell. People started screaming and running away, the video shows.
Texas leaders offer support, condemn political violence
Texas lawmakers in Washington and Austin were quick to respond to the shooting, with some condemning it as an act of political violence.
What they’re saying:
“Charie Kirk has been shot,” Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne said. “Evil will not silence the truth. He is stronger than prayers – and so are we. Standing with Charlie.”
“Our prayers go out to Charlie Kirk and his family,” Rep. Monica De La Cruz said.
Rep. Dan Crenshaw called the shooting a “despicable act of hate.”
“God Bless Charlie Kirk, I can’t believe what I’m hearing right now,” Crenshaw said. “I’ve known Charlie since 2018. *His first son just turned one. His daughter is only 4.* I don’t care how much you hate his opinions or rhetorical tactics, this is the most despicable act of hate imaginable.”
Sen. Ted Cruz called Kirk a friend and said he was stunned by the news.
“This is horrific. I am stunned,” Cruz said. “@charliekirk11 is a good friend—we’ve been friends since he was a teenager—and a courageous leader. Heidi & I are praying for Charlie right now. May God’s healing hand be upon him.”
“Devastating news. Charlie Kirk leaves behind a beautiful family, including two young children who should not have to grow up without their father,” Rep. Michael McCaul said. “I am praying for Charlie’s loved ones — and for our nation — in this harrowing moment.”
Democrats were also quick to respond. Rep. Marc Veasey retweeted a post from California Gov. Gavin Newsom condemning the attack as political violence.
“Agree 100% Gov!” Veasey said.
Veasey would later release a statement that reads:
“I condemn in the strongest terms the shooting of Charlie Kirk. This disgusting act of political violence has no place in our democracy, and we cannot allow these acts to become normalized. I pray for Charlies and his family during this difficult time.”
“I strongly condemn the shooting of Charlie Kirk,” Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Colin Allred said. “Political violence against anyone is outrageous and an attack on our democratic process. We must all unite against this.”
Rep. Jasmine Crockett said political violence “has no place in our democracy.”
“Today’s act of political violence in Utah against Charlie Kirk is absolutely disgusting and unacceptable,” Crockett said.
At that state level, members of the Texas Legislature weighed in with comments on the shooting expressing their prayers for Kirk’s recovery.
“Our prayers are with Charlie Kirk, his family, and his loved ones,” House Speaker Dustin Burrows said. “The darkness and violence unleashed against him today, as he worked to share the values of a free America, is gut-wrenching. We stand with him in faith and strength.”
“I just visited with Charlie at two different events in June, including an event for a wonderful pro life ministry called PreBorn,” state Sen. Angela Paxton said. “Charlie was well known for his college campus debates, but he also gave freely of his time for nonprofits and ministries that were special to him. Our love and prayers are with his precious wife and young children , along with his extended family and all who loved him. His impact is immeasurable.”
Gov. Greg Abbott said he and the first lady were praying for Kirk.
“Truly unimaginable,” Attorney General Ken Paxton said. “Praying for Charlie Kirk right now.”
Later, Paxton would add:
“This act of pure evil is truly sickening. Charlie was an American patriot, a friend, and a faithful husband and father. Join me in praying for Charlie’s family and friends at this time. Words can not express how horrific this is to all of us.”
Charlie Kirk shot
What we know:
According to the university, shots were fired from a nearby building around 1:20 p.m. local time, about 20 minutes after he started speaking.
“We believe that he was shot,” the university told FOX TV Stations.
Campus has been closed for the remainder of the day.
President Donald Trump confirmed on Truth Social the news of Kirk’s death.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote. “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!
What we don’t know:
There is no suspect in custody. Earlier, the university said there was a suspect in custody, but officials have since said no one has been detained.
The Source: Information in this article comes from previous FOX 4 reporting. Comments made by Texas lawmakers come from posts made from their respective social media accounts.
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When it comes to training the doctors and researchers who will staff hospitals, Texas holds its own on the world stage.
Several Texas health and medical institutions landed on U.S. News and World Report’s 2026-27 Best Global Universities list, with three cracking the global top 500 — led by UT Southwestern Medical Center at No. 113.
The list considered 13 indicators and weights to measure global research performance and reputation, ranking the world’s 2,250 top universities.
Here’s a look at how some major public and private health care and medical universities in Texas fared on the list.
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Global Ranking: No. 113.
Location: Dallas, Texas.
Type: Public university.
Baylor College of Medicine
Global Ranking: No. 144.
Location: Houston, Texas.
Type: Private university.
University of Texas Health Science Center — Houston
Global Ranking: No. 324.
Location: Houston, Texas.
Type: Public university.
University of Texas Medical Branch — Galveston
Global Ranking: No. 599.
Location: Galveston, Texas.
Type: Public university.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Global Ranking: No. 1,871.
Location: Lubbock, Texas.
Type: Public university.
Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
AUSTIN – Texas officials are rolling out a new online hub aimed at helping residents spot and report the New World screwworm, a pest Gov. Greg Abbott says threatens livestock, wildlife, and the state’s rural economy.
Abbott announced the launch of screwworm.texas.gov, an enhanced website housed in the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s Disaster Portal that he described as a “one-stop shop” for information and resources tied to the state’s response.
The New World screwworm poses a direct threat to Texas livestock, wildlife, and our rural economy,” Abbott said. “This new website puts essential tools in the hands of our producers, veterinarians, and families. Screwworm.texas.gov delivers the facts, maps, identification methods, and certification resources Texans need to detect problems early and report cases without delay. Now every Texan has the information to act. Texas will protect our land, our animals, and our way of life from this pest.
According to the governor’s office, the site is designed to provide “actionable and reliable multimedia information” about the New World screwworm, including fact sheets, videos, and educational materials.
The portal includes background information, guidance on how to spot the pest, sample collection procedures, Texas Animal Health Commission New World screwworm zone maps, the U.S. Department of Agriculture case dashboard, links to best practices for livestock and wildlife, and details on registering for a new no-cost New World screwworm Certified Inspector Training.
The governor’s office said state and federal partners are working together to detect, control and contain the spread, and that expanding public outreach and providing clear information is a key part of reducing risk.
Abbott’s office also highlighted actions taken by the governor in response to the pest, including:
- Directing the creation of a joint Texas New World screwworm Response Team
- Joining USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to announce a $750 million investment in a new sterile fly production facility in Edinburg
- Issuing a statewide disaster declaration ahead of the first detection
- Deploying state resources and activating the State Emergency Operations Center after the first confirmed Texas cases
- Visiting the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville for a briefing
- Launching a free online training course to certify more inspectors
- Announcing federal funding to strengthen inspection capacity.
Texans are urged to inspect livestock and pets for wounds and report suspected cases immediately, including in wildlife.
For livestock and pets, suspected cases should be reported to the Texas Animal Health Commission’s 24-hour veterinarian call line at 1-800-550-8242.
For wildlife, reports should be made to Texas Parks and Wildlife’s 24-hour biologists’ call line at 512-389-4505. Officials also warn people not to move affected animals.
More information and updates are available at screwworm.texas.gov and screwworm.gov.
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